Emesent has launched a new mobile surveying scanner, the GX1, which combines LiDAR, RTK positioning and 360-degree imagery in a single unit for construction and infrastructure surveying.
Emesent describes the GX1 as an “all-in-one” system for capturing and processing survey data. It combines simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) with real-time kinematic (RTK) georeferencing and panoramic image capture.
The GX1 delivers independently validated global accuracy of 5-10 mm, according to Emesent. The company says this precision reduces the risk that small measurement errors will escalate into larger construction issues later in the project.
Construction teams and survey firms have increased their use of mobile scanning tools in recent years as clients push for faster on-site information turnaround. Many projects also face staffing constraints, while surveying remains specialised and time-consuming on complex sites.
Emesent says the GX1 can reduce the time required to survey a site by up to 95%, with work that previously took weeks completed in a day of scanning, depending on site size and conditions. It positions the product as a response to a shortage of experienced surveyors across the architecture, engineering and construction sector.
Combined sensor stack
The GX1 integrates multiple sensing and positioning elements: LiDAR for 3D point capture, RTK for positioning and georeferencing, and four 20-megapixel cameras for 360-degree panoramic imagery. Emesent says its Aura processing software produces an accuracy validation report.
SLAM is widely used in environments where GPS signals are unreliable, including indoor spaces, underground sites, and complex structures. It estimates location by comparing sensor readings over time and building a map as the scanner moves. RTK typically relies on satellite positioning corrections to provide a stable coordinate reference in open environments where signals are available.
Emesent says its SLAM algorithm was developed and validated in GPS-denied underground locations. The company is known for Hovermap, a SLAM-based scanning product used in mining and other industrial settings.
The GX1 also includes integrated batteries, which Emesent says removes the need for external cabling during capture.
Deployment options
Mobile mapping products often trade speed for accuracy, particularly when used by staff who are not specialist surveyors. Emesent says it designed the GX1 to reduce that trade-off and that the tool is simple enough for junior staff to learn and deploy within days.
The GX1 has four deployment modes: backpack, survey pole, vehicle mount and handheld. These options support scanning from different heights and movement patterns, whether work is on foot, from a vehicle or in confined areas.
Georeferencing can be done in the field using RTK or in post-processing using ground control points and checkpoints, according to Emesent. The company says this flexibility reduces the risk of returning to a site for a repeat survey.
Target use cases include topographic and road surveys, scan-to-building information modelling workflows and construction progress tracking. The inclusion of 360-degree imagery also supports visual records and context for design teams and site managers.
Market pressures
Survey firms face pressure to deliver data more quickly and at lower cost. Larger contractors and infrastructure owners have also raised expectations for digital project records and frequent site updates. As basic mobile scanning becomes more common, early adopters have found it harder to differentiate.
Emesent describes the GX1 launch as a step change in mobile mapping accuracy, saying it delivers “survey-grade” results that users can validate by reporting in its software.
Dr Stefan Hrabar, chief strategy officer and co-founder of Emesent, said:
“With the introduction of the GX1, we’ve answered the call we’ve heard echoing throughout the surveying industry to end the tug-of-war between fast and accurate. By putting the power of SLAM into the hands of the everyday surveyor, the GX1 raises the bar for mobile scanning accuracy and keeps critical projects on track.”
Emesent plans to show the GX1 at Geo Week 2026, where it will demonstrate the device and its workflow for capture, processing and validation.